Ireland V All Blacks - Teams Announced and Matchday Thread

[clivemcl]

First topic message reminder :

IRELAND TEAM

15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
11 - Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) *
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster) *
4 - Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
5 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6 - Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
7 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
17 - Ronan Loughney (Galwegians/Connacht) *
18 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)


NZ Team

15 Israel Dagg,
14 Zac Guildford,
13 Conrad Smith,
12 Sonny Bill Williams,
11 Julian Savea,
10 Dan Carter,
9 Aaron Smith,
8 Kieran Read,
7 Richie McCaw (capt),
6 Victor Vito,
5 Sam Whitelock,
4 Brodie Retallick,
3 Owen Franks,
2 Andrew Hore,
1 Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Hika Elliot, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith.

Tour Previews:
http://www.v2journal.com/irelands-summer-tour.html
http://www.v2journal.com/new-zealands-june-tests-preview.html

[mystiroakey]

Allright for some .. I want one of them

[aucklandlaurie]

Who's Simon Cowell? Who does he coach?

He coached and shaaged a tart from Noocastle liike.

Back in my younger days I used to go out with a English sheila from New castle, Mad as a wheel and drank pizz like a sponge.

[Gibson]

Mystir
What have the Lions got to do with anything?

At the moment there are only two Teams in the the World that matter, they are Ireland and the "All Blacks".

Oi tink oim faaliin in man-love, wit dis Kee-Wee fella. Must have some Oirish in im.

Soon will.

[aucklandlaurie]

Gibbo

I have never mentioned this before but my ancestors, early 1800s were from Cork and Tipparary (excuse spelling) one old great great was shipped to Australia for stealing a sheep.

[Rava]

A man from our era Gibbo. Not many of us around. Need go stick together.

[rodders]

Good man Laurie! Its a win win game for you pal!

[aucklandlaurie]

Rodders

Tonight I' going to have a practise run on the Jameson's, just to get me eye in.

[mystiroakey]

so just irish stock then laurie- what about the other 90 odd percent of ya!!

[rodders]

Only messing Laurie, can't wait until saturday man...the AB's are the gold standard, the big one.... things haven't been great for the Irish national team recently but this is a great time to get things back on track and earn some respect again .

[aucklandlaurie]

Got to admit every great great came from Ireland, then to either NZ or Aussie.

[mystiroakey]

all 8 of them?


so when is the cut off from being british or irsh OR aus or kiwi then?

not having ago pal, just asking!

[Sin é]

Gibbo

I have never mentioned this before but my ancestors, early 1800s were from Cork and Tipparary (excuse spelling) one old great great was shipped to Australia for stealing a sheep.

That would make you a Munsterman then.

The 'Fields of Athenry' were written for your great great ! Its Tipperary (which is where I'm from. Your not Brent Pope are you?).

[aucklandlaurie]

My Mum was a true blue Aussie, (thats the sheep stealing side of the family,originating from Cork)
My dad was a Kiwi, his parents (both)came from Tipparary.
Me born Kiwi, with lots of Aussie cousins.

Last year when I went to the Australia v Ireland game, I had a Wallaby scarf, had to I had house/car full of rellies from Sydney.But I do to want see Irish rugby improve, purely from the standpoint of adopting a more attacking style of play, and not getting bogged down in the things that dont really matter ie "tip tackles" or concerning about the selection of the players, if the style of play improved, the Irish selection issues would solve themselves.

[aucklandlaurie]

Gibbo

I have never mentioned this before but my ancestors, early 1800s were from Cork and Tipparary (excuse spelling) one old great great was shipped to Australia for stealing a sheep.

That would make you a Munsterman then.

The 'Fields of Athenry' were written for your great great ! Its Tipperary (which is where I'm from. Your not Brent Pope are you?).

I never knew that, next time I see that Dougie Howlett hes in for an earful.

[rodders]

Spot on Laurie.... Laurie, Sin ..night chaps

[Gibson]

My Mum was a true blue Aussie, (thats the sheep stealing side of the family,originating from Cork)
My dad was a Kiwi, his parents (both)came from Tipparary.
Me born Kiwi, with lots of Aussie cousins.

Last year when I went to the Australia v Ireland game, I had a Wallaby scarf, had to I had house/car full of rellies from Sydney.But I do to want see Irish rugby improve, purely from the standpoint of adopting a more attacking style of play, and not getting bogged down in the things that dont really matter ie "tip tackles" or concerning about the selection of the players, if the style of play improved, the Irish selection issues would solve themselves.

So Aucks,
What you are basically saying is, what I have been saying for years now. Get rid of the Cork bogger at the Top, to enable us to evolve as a team. Two of em, have held us back for yonks now.

Its been a massive waste of precious time. And I mean that.

I thank you.

[Taylorman]

Very cunning plan Laurie...luring these nice Irish folk into a false sense of insecurity.

woohoo...32 hours to go and counting...

[aucklandlaurie]

taylorman
When your playing for Otahuhu, theres is absolutely nothing to be gained by upsetting the Ponsonby players on the day before the game.

But its good having a chat to these Irish guys, I reckon they would be brilliant to have a night on the syrup with.

Funny thing is I just realised by talking to these guys that I could have qualified to play for Ireland. now if I'd known that when I was wearing red and black, I could have avoided all those wet, dark Tues/Thursday nights slogging my guts out running up the sides of Mt Richmond and Sturges park.

[Otagolad]

Laurie,

I see you watched "The Crowd Goes Wild" last night (the Dirty Tree call). I thought the best bit was when James McOnie at the press conference asked about the divide in Ireland and then when the Irish players looked quizzical he said "you know, whether they support Boyzone or Westlife" - not a laugh or even a smile out of the Irish makes me think they're a little tense and worried.

Can't see them getting within 15 of the AB's to be honest as some of their selections are just asking the AB's to carve them up in the backs i.e. Murray, Earls, Zebo and McFadden and their tight five looks average at best with only their loose trio standing out.

Also can't wait to see Aaron Smith in action - it could be a revelation watching Carter running onto super quick ball with even more time to weigh up his options than he usually has. Thank goodness the days of slow distribution from Marshall, Keheller, Leonard. Cowan and Weepu might be coming to an end - for those Kiwis who don't remember what it was like when Graeme Bachop played, its amazing what quick ball from a halfback can do.

Well up for this tomorrow and can't wait - my four year old boy has had me teaching him the Haka all week He's made me so proud.

[aucklandlaurie]

Otago

Yes thats how I knew about the dirty tree incident. although I understand the Boyzone/westlife thing, I sometimes thnk Maconie can take things a bit too far, in fairness the Irish players were there for the announcement of their team, not to be "set up' by him.but the dirty tree incident was hilarious.

Agree really looking forward to this game, looking more forward to see how Rettalick and Vito go.

Ive also always held the opinion that Jonathan Sexton has a lot more to offer as an International player than he has ever shown us in the past.

[Gibson]

[Otagolad]

James McOnie is actually rather funny and as the show he works for is a sports comedy show his questions are meant to be taken that way. In fact the show is so funny at times I often find myself quietly chortling .

Everything develops and moves on including the Haka ....... actually wait a minute, Irish rugby hasn't has it

[Gibson]

[Taylorman]

Hi ya Otagolad! Havnt seen you you here for a while. Where you beaming in from at the moment?

Looking forward to it?

Laurie I would have liked to chance my arm outside of Auckland while at Oats at around 19-21.

Played the under 21 trials at 9 and it blew me away. Never played or been in anything so damned fast. I was just concrete end of the match I just couldnt move... if anyone ever says the change in levels is not an issue they're LYING!!!

Anyway...
I'm gonna have a guiness during the AB's match just in case they edge us...then I'll look the part after the match!! Better start practicing the Irish accent though.

Promised on these boards I'd be going to Molly Malones on Courtney place if the Irish win to enjoy it with them so either way I'm in for a good night cos I wont give a toss if we lose the record if it makes that many people happier...(and we've still got the Scottish one ... )

[Gibson]

Taylorman,
You rock.

[blackcanelion]

Just to get you in the mood. An oldy but a goody:

http://vimeo.com/7799745

[nganboy]

Good call Taylor - might just do the same if the wife and kids will let me.

[Otagolad]

Hey Taylorman,

Now working/living in Christchurch after coming back from the Caribbean - talk about a change, from 40c to -5c and snow - well at least the kids have enjoyed it.

I remember playing an Otago schoolboys trial years ago (I played 9 as well) and thought I was pretty fit (use to do cross-country etc.) and have never been so knackered in my life at the end of it so I hear what you're saying.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if we lost to the Irish on Saturday, but it would be close to being catastrophic. I was at Lansdowne Road in 2001 when, in my view, the Irish had their best chance of beating us since the game at Carisbrook in 1992 (was also there) and when the tide started to turn in our favour in that 2001 game you could see it in the faces of not just the fans but the Irish players that they didn't believe they were good enough. Unfortunately I think that is a large part of the problem even for those Irish players who haven't played the AB's before as they constantly get reminded of the fact and that the AB's are No.1 etc.

The great think about tests against Ireland and Scotland for me has always been that their fans don't really believe they can beat the AB's and the AB's fans don't believe they'll lose and consequently when the result ends up confirming their beliefs they go off to the pub together and have a great old time with AB fans saying how valiant the Irish are and the Irish lauding us all the while telling us that McCaw is a cheat while maintaining a smile on their faces It will be interesting how gracious we are in defeat and the Irish/Scots are in victory if that day comes.

[dallym]

half the country would shrug our shoulders, accept we weren't better on the day and congratulate the Irish (don't think the Scots can win, but stranger things have happened).

The other half would be an embarrassment. Blaming the ref, demanding that the whole team gets sacked and not giving the Irish (or Scots) the credit they deserve

[Taylorman]

Yeah some wont take it well. But if someones not big enough to put it in to context. For us its another, albeit rare, loss. For the Irish generations have come and gone for over a hundred years without seeing it.

I wont lose any sleep over it as long as its a good hard deserved win good then on them. Not saying we can give them away either as that isnt respectful to either sides history.

Felt the same way when SA won 95. When put into context the win did more for SA under mandela than it would ever have done for NZ.

Still think we should have won it but put in context theres more to it.

And... Got my 6 pack of Guiness on way home tonight!

[disneychilly]

James McOnie is actually rather funny and as the show he works for is a sports comedy show his questions are meant to be taken that way. In fact the show is so funny at times I often find myself quietly chortling .

Everything develops and moves on including the Haka ....... actually wait a minute, Irish rugby hasn't has it

Ever since James McOnie gave me two tickets to the NZ Ireland test in 2010 for doing 30 seconds of Irish dancing with the ABs I won't have a bad word said about him.

[rodders]

Wow I can see a few of our kiwi friends are feeling pretty bullish about this one..... or maybe the lady doth protest too much..... I think a few of these chaps are maybe still smarting from when Munster beat the ABs and feeling the heat a bit..... .....

[mankiaow]

Speaking of accents, an Ozzie friend told me a story about some graffiti on a wall in Sydney which read, ‘AUSTRALIA SUCKS’.

To which someone had added, ‘NEW ZEALAND NIL’ .

[Gibson]

Speaking of accents, an Ozzie friend told me a story about some graffiti on a wall in Sydney which read, ‘AUSTRALIA SUCKS’.

To which someone had added, ‘NEW ZEALAND NIL’ .

[Thomond]

Kiwis can be funny, Flight Of the Conchordes are pretty great.

[Gibson]

Yeah roysh, Keewees are funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIcDUBzzD68

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Yeah roysh, Keewees are funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIcDUBzzD68

Shame that's an Aussie accent

[Mickado]

"he might be dead!"

"yeah but what might he have done...?"

[Gibson]

Yeah roysh, Keewees are funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIcDUBzzD68

Shame that's an Aussie accent

Ah Kiwi, poetic licence ja? Ye all sound the same to us. Kiwis, Saffers & Aussies... Besides... He's a Paddy. Aussies try hard to be funnee, but like with de rugby, they are amateurs at it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNzpBJzCOGI

[disneychilly]

Thank feck we can play rugby better than we can pronounce vowels.

[Notch]

"He may be dead!"

"Yeah, maybe he did and maybe he didn't..."

[Mickado]

"He may be dead!"

"Yeah, maybe he did and maybe he didn't..."

That's more like it alright.

"my name is Bret"

"Brit?"

"no Bret"

"What like Britney?"

[disneychilly]

LOL. A mate of mine sent me the "Team Building Exercise 99" t to use as a sleeping shirt. It gets a few sniggers.

[blackcanelion]

Look it's not our fault we were the last nation to be colonised and have the most evolved dialect. We can't help it the UK still has it's primitive dialects and is ruled by the Germans.

[Mickado]

LOL. A mate of mine sent me the "Team Building Exercise 99" t to use as a sleeping shirt. It gets a few sniggers.

Classic!

[disneychilly]

Think there are 86 billion reasons why Ireland is ruled by the Germans at present too...

[Thomond]

Well, New Zealand is so ugly, they had to import a South African to compete in Miss World or Miss Universe or something (Kiwireddevil mentioned it the other day). I suppose it was tiring to see sheep win it.

[disneychilly]

I'm not surprised Thomond. We have a lot of beautiful things in our country, but the local girls sadly are not part of that group. I think I've seen about 12 hot ones.

The sheep though, oh wow they are something else. They're smarter than Aussie girls too.

[blackcanelion]

Well, New Zealand is so ugly, they had to import a South African to compete in Miss World or Miss Universe or something (Kiwireddevil mentioned it the other day). I suppose it was tiring to see sheep win it.

I think it might have the runner up as well. Nothing dodgy about that comp. I hear Wayne Barnes was a judge.

[disneychilly]

No it was Bryce Lawrence. Wayne Barnes was in Ireland picking the hottest and most intelligent girls to star in Tallafornia (The Dublin equivalent of the GC).

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